Final Countdown

Yikes, it's election day in the US. The Proposition 8 Vote will be hugely significant in California but (like I need to tell you) it's also the Presidential race. For any US folks reading this (and according to my blog stats about 1/4 of you are) here's one final video that might help you make your mind up.

Proposition 8

Today is the final day of campaigning in the US. Whether Obama or McCain wins it marks a turning point for the US. As long time readers of this blog will know, I've been backing Obama since last year but I still don't think he has it in the bag. The likely winner? yes. The certain winner? no. One of the curious aspects of American democracy is that the public can trigger votes and along with voting for a President and Congressional elections the voters in California will be voting on Proposition 8. Proposition would amend the Constitution of California (yes English readers, they have a Federal structure, keep up) to ban same sex marriage. It is presented as a reasonable constitutional argument. It's not, it's an excuse to overturn gay marriage in one small part of the US. It's sparking some strong exchanges and the vote no website can be viewed here whilst the vote yes site can be viewed here.

Sarah Palin Calls for Federal Ban on Gay Marriage

I've not blogged much on the US election for a while but that's not to say I've not been watching it. Sarah Palin, the moose shooting hockey mom Governor from Alaska and self styled pit bull with lipstick could be placed a heart beat from the Presidency next month. Given Senator McCain doesn't look like he's got that many beats left in him she has deservedly received a lot of coverage in the world media.

Tina Fey has been catapulted to world fame because of her likeness to Palin in a series of Saturday Night Live Sketches (and this weekend the real Palin appeared alongside her). You can see a clip here and the Guardian ran a piece today examining the phenomenon.

It's easy to dismiss her as a joke but you never know in America. They did elect George W Bush. Today Pink News reports that Palin came out (if you pardon the pun) for a federal ban on gay marriage today after speaking to a Chinese TV network. Such a move would set America back decades on this issue and undo the minimal progress that has been made assuming of course that gay marriage is viewed as progress (by either the queer or straight community).

Come on America, how many reasons do you need to vote Democrat???

Time for Some Campaignin'

It's been a while since I wrote anything about the US Presidential race - a race that has the potential to make a massive impact upon LGBT rights in the US. Today the BBC is reporting on the release of a new video buy the JibJab guys which targets the 2008 campaign. In a contest that has been a little dull as of late it adds some welcome humour to the campaign. You can view the video below and the 2004 campaign video (which I think is better) that started the JibJab guys off.